Since 2002
Published Tuesdays and Fridays. Letters to the editor with pictures.
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Kudos to whatever group is responsible for doing an outstanding job trimming back the foliage along the shoreline at the Big Pine Community Park. You can now enjoy a clear view of the water in a lovely, relaxing setting. What an improvement! |
 Big Pine Key Winn Dixie’s Weekly Ad |
| [Murder on Duck Key] Ryan Justin Wilder, 32, of Winter Springs, Florida was charged with murder. He is accused of fatally shooting one of his tenants four times Friday night during an illegal eviction argument. The Sheriff’s Office said the shooting occurred at 162 North Indies Drive at 6:20 p.m. when Wilder and his girlfriend went to a home owned by his parents to illegally evict 47-year-old Kenneth Palicki and Colleen Lyons, 25. They reportedly had been told to be out by Aug. 23, but Wilder tried to evict them on the 18th. Wilder reportedly just walked in to the house and began to remove the tenants’ property and take it outside. While that was going on, Palicki returned home and an argument began between him and Wilder. Palicki told Lyons to call the Sheriff’s Office. She told Sheriff’s dispatchers on the phone that Wilder had a gun in a holster on his hip. During the call, Wilder drew his gun and shot Palicki multiple times. Wilder then walked out to his truck, gun still in his hand, and left. He was stopped, arrested and charged with murder. Palicki was taken to Fishermen’s Hospital in Marathon where he was pronounced dead from four gunshot wounds to his left forearm, neck, mid-back and upper thigh. -this all alleged. |
[Help Wanted] Route driver needed for portable toilet company on Big Pine Key. |
| [Honoring Traitors] There are over 700 confederate statues throughout the South honoring those American traitors who took up arms against the United States to preserve the South’s tradition of slavery. If you think there are other reasons you’re probably nitpicking history. |
 [USS John S. McCain Collides With Tanker in Pacific] I don’t think it’s possible for a 505 foot Navy ship to collide with a 600 foot tanker, especially in clear weather! How could this happen if the two vessels weren’t playing some form of ‘Chicken’ with each other? This is the fourth time this month it’s happened in Asian waters. Something’s going on they’re not telling us. I’ve been aboard new Navy ships and their collision warning systems are state of the art. And they have humans actively watching for ships at all times of day and night. A guppy couldn’t get near one of these ships without being seen. As a matter of fact, a missile would have a hard time getting near one. Something’s going on! Video |
| [Confederates Honored] Only the people in this country would be stupid enough to start a civil war over statues from the last civil war. |
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| [Strange Address] “MM 92 BY THE ICE MACHINE, TAVENIER, FL 33037.” I found this address of a person on the MCSO arrest log, “by the ice machine”? Hilarious |
Key Deer Blvd was resurfaced in 2008 and it’s already falling apart. I’d assumed such expensive work would last longer that this! |
| [Good Band] There was not much of crowd at Looe Key Tiki Bar for what was advertised as “to be announced” for the band a couple of weeks ago. The band that showed up was the Marshall Morelock Band and those that missed this band’s performance really did miss out. They played great tunes right away instead of losing half of the audience with ho-hum songs early on, like most do. They played over 2-1/2 hours before a short break (a genuine “short” break). Marshall has got his showmanship going as well as his effortless superb musicianship. He was walking around the bar hotdogging his guitar at various tables. The music selection was outstanding throughout, and he held the customers all the way to 11 pm. I was told that was his dad playing bass so well and singing a few, too. If you haven’t heard Marshall’s performance before, you are in for a treat when you do catch him. |
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| [Spanglish work of the day] “Water” My old lady is mad at me and I don’t know water problem is. |
[More bleach in the gene pool] Florida couple injured after barbecue grill in SUV explodes when woman lights cigarette. Boom. Link |
| [Spice of Life] With Springer’s now dark we need another watering hole on Big Pine. We’re down to the Nut, No Name Pub and Bistro (unless you belong to the Moose). As it is said, variety is the spice of life. We need more spice! |
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| [Best Dolphin Act Ever] Oh boy. Wait until PETA sees this one. First Shamu, next — the dolphins! Video |
[Ship Collision] Damage to the portside is visible as the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain |
| My wife and I were in a very nice restaurant when the waiter approached to take our order. For some reason he asked me first and I said, “I want a steak bloody rare.” He said, “Bloody rare? What about mad cow?” I said, “Well, she can order for herself.” That’s when the fight started. |
[Why I hate Tourists] Submerged Lift] This is why I get so upset at tourists. Imagine driving down the canal when the light is poor and hitting this boat lift sitting just under the surface? |
| [Jerry Lewis] Comedian dies aged 91 in Las Vegas. Video |
 [Confederate Monuments] Friday’s George Orwell quote does not apply. Monuments to Confederate soldiers and leaders were placed, sometimes with public funds, to flaunt white supremacy and distort history by framing the South’s mission as a noble “lost cause” instead of its constitutionally stated purpose to perpetuate the brutal enslavement of another race. For what other reason are there monuments in places like Arizona that weren’t even states during the Civil War?
Even the descendants of Lee, Davis, and Stonewall Jackson advocate removing the statues from public places and placing them into historical context in a museum. Two hundred-plus years down the road we are still dealing with the fundamental contradiction of our nation’s founding: declaring that all men are created equal while not only enslaving black people but counting each one as 3/5ths of a person. |
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[Rats Eat Wire] There is a class action lawsuit against Kia for using environmentally friendly soy based insulation on their newest car wiring–that rats just love to eat! You just can’t make this stuff up, folks. Link |
| Here’s a big hurrah for Boat Bottom Express on Ramrod Key who hosted a wonderful locals’ appreciation party on Picnic Island Saturday. The pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw, and potato salad was delicious and the free beverages most welcome. The live band was superb (Paul Weston, Don Chairs, and unidentified drummer- with others giving them a break). I have never heard a negative comment about Boat Bottom Express. They would like to host another picnic party next year, so keep them busy. |
[Nature Sounds] I had to go to the toilet in the middle of Saturday night when all was so humid and still. While peeing I farted and a tree frog outside my window mimicked the exact sound! I’ve heard them do the same with car horns, mimicking the exact sound. |
| Never miss a good chance to shut up. ~Will Rogers |
[Piners Rock!] Thank you Big Pine, we couldn’t do it with out you. Piners Rock! ~Coconuts Bar & Liquor Store, down town Big Pine Key |
| [Confederate Statues] They should remove all Confederate statues from Key West and elsewhere’s public property and move them to private property. It is awful that some people revere those who caused so much human suffering in order to have free slave labor which is more human suffering. The monuments should not be scrapped, they should only be moved off public property. There is a place for them. |
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| [Monday’s Eclipse] Our local star and moon will begin to align at 1:27 p.m. on Monday. The moon will block most of the sun from sight, casting a shadow on Earth, leaving what experts say may be a “green halo” from the sun’s corona, or aura, which will remain visible around the moon |
[Blimp’s Bum] Get away! It looks like it’s getting ready to take a dump! |
| A Spanglish haha. “No collecto todos los garbage today. Pero que si your usual dia esta today por favor to leave it at los curb anyway. Que stinky!” |
People radiate what is in their minds and in their hearts. If a man feels kindly and obliging, his neighbors will feel that way, too, before long. But if he scolds and scowls and criticizes—his neighbors will return scowl for scowl, and add interest! When you look for the bad, expecting it, you will get it. When you know you will find the good—you will get that. ~Coconuts Bar & Liquor Store, down town Pine Key at the light |
| Speaking of speargun accidents… Woman survives harpoon shot through the mouth! Video |
[Size Matters] Starting Thursday, fishermen will see a significant decrease in the bag limit and a significant increase in the size limit for one of the Keys most sought after fish for eating — hogfish. New rules for hogfish apply in both federal and state waters off the Florida Keys. The recreational bag limit will go from five a day to one fish a day, and the size limit will increase from 12 to 16 inches in federal waters |
| [Eclipse Review] Did you see it? The peak time was just before our 3 o’clock dance class began. I brought the glasses & we all had a look. There was just a fingernail clipping sliver of sun left. It didn’t get noticeably dark but I think it was a mite cooler. But we all found it amazing. Can’t wait for the next one! |
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| [What’s happening, man?] Find out at Eventbrite.com . Put in any zip code and see what events are happening there. Link |
Did you see the Bucktooth Rooster’s new porch? They did a nice job on it. Now you can sit outside without mosquitoes as your dinner companion, or even worse, as their dinner! |
| [American Elite] Children of Congress members do not have to pay back their college student loans. Staffers of Congress family members are also exempt from having to payback student loans. Members of Congress can retire at full pay after only one term. Members of Congress have exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed, under which ordinary citizens must live. For example, they are exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment. And as the latest example, they have exempted themselves from Healthcare Reform, in all of its aspects.
We must not tolerate an elite class of such people, elected as public servants and then putting themselves above the law. I truly don’t care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent, or whatever, the self-serving must stop. ~Coconuts Bar & Liquor |
The revolution has begun. Woof! |
| [Bad Contractors] Today I received a mail solicitation from the plumbing contractor who took my money in October of 2016 for my sewer hook up. It says their mission is to “provide efficient service”. What a joke. I haven’t seen or heard from that company yet. Keep your money in the bank! (Ed: Deer poster, Thank you. I received all seven copies of this email you sent.) |
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[Collision at Sea] Damage to the portside is visible as the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) steers towards Changi naval base in Singapore following a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC on Monday. |
| [Road Rage] Woman arrested for pointing gun in road rage incident in Key Largo. Link |
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| If I am brave enough to stand against those who have been groomed by fear, I will recognize that where I get knocked down is about where life begins, and has nothing to do with where it ends. |
Royboy died last year. He ran the No Name Pub for many years and was a radio disk jockey in Key West too. He had that low gravely voice that said of the No Name Pub, “It’s a nice place… if you can find it.” |
| Jerry Lewis, comedy icon and telethon host, dies at 91. Link |
[Collision] Question: how can a Navy Vessel, with the best navigation systems in the world , hit another ship or allow another ship to hit them? Prayers for the families & friends of the lost & injured sailors. Video |
| ‘Bar Rescue‘ says 6,500 bars will close this year. Make that 6,499 because Springers already closed. |
I have been researching used vehicles to buy something reliable for long trips without paying the price of a condo. I have had rotten reliability with every American vehicle I ever owned, and I have owned or regularly operated all of the top makes. I had crappy reliability from five Nissans, but Toyota and Mazda  have been exceptional. Friends rave about their Kias and Hondas, so I included those in my research. I was all set to buy a Toyota until I discovered the really common early engine failure problem attributed to oil sludge if the oil is not changed twice as often as the factory recommendation. Their 6 cylinder engines appear the worst and this is a problem that only developed in the last 10 years or so. Computer control issues have become rampant on most of the newer cars (so beware the self driving cars!). Things like the ABS system preventing the brakes from working at all, accelerating when the brakes are applied (Been there. It electrically opens the throttle to improve exhaust air quality), shifting into gear by itself or even jumping between park, forward and reverse (a Jeep infamy, but not exclusive), engine dying suddenly instead of accelerating (common: is a throttle position sensor failure- often intermittent), and more such fun surprises that don’t happen for the mechanic. Remember when a cable or rod controlled things instead of a solenoid under computer control? (“Use the Force, Luke”, “What are you doing, Hal?”) Don’t just trust favorable “frequency of repair” reports. The link below takes you to a great site listing the most common problems of various specific makes, models and years. I noticed that even Honda is having major issues recently, so it is worth checking out your vehicle of interest before signing the papers. Or finding what are the trouble spots with what you’re driving now? Link |
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| [“Confederate monuments”] Dachau is standing and there is an interesting museum there too. Aushwitz, Birkenau, in Poland, and Bergen-Belsen in Germany are two that have been turned into museums. Why? History, learn from it or repeat it. ~Coconuts Bar & Liquor Store |
Green chile cheeseburger. Heart healthy? Who cares? Hunka hunka! |
| [Schools] I just so happen to come across your Nov. 2016 issue because I was researching an individual that is a former employee for Dade Schools. You indicated “I finally received a response from MCSB…”, or something to that effect, about the number of school employees. You were given numbers and state statute jargon, such as “non-instructional,” “administrative,” et cetera. Rightfully so, because your tax dollars contribute you should be given precise information. I can help you.
Instructional personnel according to s. 1012.01 are teachers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, ESE Support Specialist, Literacy coach, speech pathologist, and a few others. Administration are those in the administrative office, such as directors of Human Resources, curriculum, superintendents, principals (who, by the way, have more power than the superintendent), assistant principal (middle management), etc. Non-Instructional are paraprofessional (assist with students with disabilities or ESOL students; a much needed and much denigrated group of professionals who are paid $13.00. They have the hardest job and are always the first to be laid off and disrespected by the upper echelon). Non-instructional are other, much needed, groups such as cafeteria ladies who feed our kids and maintain cleanliness for our kids; janitors who keep our buildings in order; bus drivers who ensure our kids get to and from school safely; secretaries; security, coaches, maintenance, and much more. If I can help you with any real information on the way schools are really handled, in which our state legislators and administrators have set statutes that intimidate teachers and stripped them from their dignity, email me. We need the tax payer voices to stop the abuses on young teachers on behalf of the state and administrators. Teachers are being evaluated on student state exams, forcing teachers to teach to a test and not real teaching. The district spends the millions of your tax dollars on testing material and software, while firing teachers. Teachers really don’t get raises but administrators get a 2.5% increase every year. Their salaries range from about $75,000 to $115,0000; while teachers start at $40,000 and do not get raises. Most of the time, the school budget can’t afford teachers and they are laid off. Yet, administrators get raises and the school is given within their budget to pay for testing material to be used to train kids for the various state exams. Do you have any idea how much the cost of those exams are? They are in the big millions. It’s the most corrupt system that the tax payers have no idea they are paying into. If you wonder why kids today can’t spell certain basic words or lack a drive to move forward, it’s all attributed to taking a test, passing it, and graduating, even if they received failing grades (there are loopholes for failing class grades that, further, denigrate the teacher’s role. We are no longer a profession held to high standards and intellect. If you want something raw and real, email me. By the way, I’ve taught for 18 years. I’m the old school type of teacher who has taught almost every subject from grades 6-12. I can give you more on me, if you wish. I will say this, all counties are ominous in this state; albeit, some are worse than others. I can say that this one, is quite “Bloodline” corrupt. I am mid-aged lady who fears what will become of my generation’s dependent years because our school systems need for prestige and money have successfully built a totalitarian school system organism, which started in the mid-90’s. I thought more information could help you one day. |
Tortellini Cherry Tomatoes & Basil Salad. Recipies > Main Course > Tortellini Cherry Tomatoes & Basil Salad. Link |
| [Eclipse Watching] My cousin, from Idaho, could not see the eclipse because it was very cloudy up there. He said he was looking where the sun doesn’t shine |
The real Loan Ranger song. Glenn Campbell on 12-string electric guitar. Video |
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